Priority list: Songbook gala, ballet benefit, more

Two of the city's highest-profile benefit events force a decision to be made on Saturday night. Of course, you could skip both and, instead, indulge in some Shakespeare or hear one of the great voices in rock.

“Songbook Celebration Gala”

The honorees at this years Center for the Performing Arts gala are George & Ira Gershwin, Chita Rivera, and Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme. Rivera and Lawrence are planning on being in attendance, Michael Feinstein will be on hand to host, and the lineup of performers included cabaret legend Marilyn Maye, Chris Mann from “The Voice,” and Tony nominee Karen Ziemba. Post-concert after party performances will be featured throughout the building.

Palladium  Oct. 3 Details

“Evening with the Stars”

The all-star Indianapolis City Ballet benefit event returns to Clowes Hall. Performers this time around include Gillian Murphy, James Whiteside and Daniil Simkin from American Ballet Theatre, Nehemiah Kish of the Royal Ballet, and international ballroom champions Antonina Skobine and Denys Drozdyuk.

Clowes Hall Oct. 3  Details

Bard Fest 2015

A trio of theater companies presents its take on “As You Like It,” “Timon of Athens” and “Othello” at this first-ever fest. I’m particularly interested  in “AYLI,” directed by one of the town’s leading Shakespearean actresses, Lauren Briggeman. Also in the mix: an Oct. 17 Shakespeare Mosh Pit with tailgating, street performers, food vendors and a chance to see all three productions in the same day.

Carmel Design District   Oct. 1-18  Details

 Mark Knopfler

In addition to his work with Dire Straits and his solo music, let us not forget that Mark Knopfler also wrote the scores for “Local Hero” and “The Princess Bride.”

Murat Theatre Oct. 3 Details

Also this week

“The Great Gatsby,”Sept. 30-Oct. 25 opens the season for the Indiana Repertory Theatre.

Q Artistry brings its signature production, “Cabaret Poe,” to Theatre on the Square Oct. 3-31.

Prolific author Joyce Carol Oates presents at Clowes Hall Sept. 28 as part of the Butler University Visiting Writers Series.

The Hideaway: A Hullabaloo of Music and Art, Oct. 3 at Fountain Square features two stages of music while a hoped-for 100 artists show their work.

The first Happy Hour of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra season, Sept. 30, includes Time for Three, vocalist Aoife O’Donovan, and drummer Mathias Kunzli.

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s “La Casa Azul” gets a second run at the Tarkington Oct. 1-3.

Cereal Cinema introduces “Beetlejuice” to a new generation—and feeds them—at the Athenaeum Oct. 3.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestraperforms Oct. 4 at IU Auditorium.